Different Types of Engineering Technician

For almost every engineering job, there’s an engineering tech position to support it. The scope of work is much more limited for an engineering technician than an engineer, but they get to be involved in so many important and interesting projects. Find out about all the different engineering technician careers and how to get into them.

Different Types of Engineering Technicians

• Mechanical Engineering Technician

You’ll support mechanical engineers by helping to design, develop, and test tools, engines, machines, and other mechanical devices. This is one of the broadest engineering fields. With this degree, you can work anywhere from patent law to materials testing to design. At first, you’ll work closely with a mechanical engineer or team of specialists. Once you’ve gained enough work experience, you’ll have more autonomy. You must have either an associate or bachelor’s degree to work as a mechanical engineering tech, along with a period of on-the-job training.

• Industrial Engineering Technician

You’ll work in mechanical or industrial facilities where you will assist with increasing productivity and safety. You’ll make recommendations and help to implement the required changes. You'll support the industrial engineers in their efforts by testing and inspecting the facility’s equipment. Your exact duties will depend on who you’re working for, and you may also be in charge of training, performing audits, inspections, keeping up compliance, and making recommendations based on findings. You can get the proper training through a vocational/trade school or a community college.

• Environmental Engineering Technician

Once a project is developed by an environmental engineer, you’ll help implement it. Environmental engineering technicians work mostly indoors, but sometimes you’ll help do clean ups at outdoor spill sites. You will perform environmental quality testing, set up equipment, collect samples to conduct surveys of the air or ground water, and help find sources of pollution. You’ll also work in laboratories where you’ll record test results, take photographs and other forms of documentation, and create reports. You must have an associate degree through an accredited program.

• Civil Engineering Technician

Infrastructure and a variety of land development projects are planned out by civil engineers, and you will work under their supervision to support the project. Your duties will depend on what projects you employer handles. Until you’re licensed, you don’t have authority to approve or supervise. You should get an associate degree, but there are certificate of completion programs available through trade schools that may be equally acceptable. Additional certification isn’t necessary, but you can choose to earn one if you want to have advancement opportunities. You’ll find options through the National Institute for Certification in Engineering Technologies.

• Electrical and Electronics Engineering Technician

You get to help engineers design and develop computers, communication and navigational equipment, medical devices, and more. You’ll work in the product evaluation and testing end, as well as repairing and adjusting the equipment. You will work heavily with blueprints, schematic drawings, instructions, reports, and data recording. You need at least an associate degree to work as an electrical and electronics engineering technician. You can earn yours a trade school or community college.

• Computer Engineering Technician

As a computer engineering tech, you’ll assist computer engineers as they design hardware and software. You will also help consumers troubleshoot problems with their software and hardware. It’s not uncommon for computer engineer techs to work as network support specialists for an IT department. For entry level positions, you must have an associate degree, but earning a bachelor's degree can help you advance in the field.

• Aerospace Engineering and Operations Technician

You’ll be qualified to assemble, install, calibrate, troubleshoot, test, maintain, and repair new and old air and spacecrafts and all their parts. If a craft crashes, you will be part of the team deciphering what went wrong. You help to ensure that any test operations run safely. Post-secondary education, whether an associate degree or certificate, will make you more attractive to hiring personnel. Find an accredited program that offers work experience in the curriculum.

• Broadcast and Sound Engineering Technician

Whether it’s a concert, tv broadcast, radio, or Broadway musical, these technicians maintain operate various types of sound equipment. You also make sure that the sound and imagery is in sync for broadcasts, convert live broadcasts over to digital recordings, install custom systems, and work with all the components relevant to the project. You will need to get an associate degree from an accredited program, which should also include hands-on learning in the curriculum. The technology is constantly evolving, which means you’ll need some continuing education to keep up the changing times. The Society of Broadcast Engineers offers eight voluntary certifications. These are not required but highly recommended, especially because it’s such a competitive field.

• Nuclear Technician

What your actual job entails will be determined by the facility you’re employed with. You’ll support the scientists and engineers by monitoring the performance of the equipment, keep track of radiation levels and any potential hazards, ensure all the monitoring equipment is not faulty, collect air and soil samples surrounding the facility, and any other duty on your plate. An associate degree or equivalent military experience is required to get into this profession. On-site training can last between six months and two years, depending on your background. Certifications are available through the Nuclear Energy Institute, the American Society for Nondestructive Testing, and the National Registry of Radiation Protection Technologists. They are voluntary but recommended.

Learn about becoming an engineer.

Engineering Tech Degree, Salary & Jobs Projections in 2022

A breakdown of some of the more popular engineering technician careers.

From Engineering Technician to Engineer

Most of the classical engineering fields such as civil, mechanical, chemical, and electrical all need the Professional Engineering designation to be considered one. In some special instances, you can be considered an engineer just by moving up the job ranks through the years. While you may not be considered an engineer in the traditional sense of the word, sometimes real world experience is considered equal. Electrical engineering could be the easiest route to take from engineering tech to engineer, because it’s not as regulated as many of the other engineering fields. So, in a roundabout way, you can be called an engineer. Still, getting your engineering degree is the quickest path to go from point A to B if you desire to advance your career.

Reference:

Official BLS Website